Janae Williams sang one day last week inside Huntington High School's empty and naturally lit auditorium — calling on the Holy Spirit like she's done since she was a young girl in church.

Come Feb. 4, concertgoers at the famed Carnegie Hall will hear the 16-year-old's voice call out. Williams was selected for the 2018 High School Honors Performance Series for vocal and instrumental musicians at Carnegie Hall.

Program finalists hail from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; six provinces of Canada; and Australia, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Qatar, South Korea and the United Kingdom. Some finalists will perform at the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

"I don't think it's really sunk in yet," she said of being chosen. "I was excited."

She sent her recording in July and learned in late October that she had been selected. Williams' best friend and father surprised her with the news during a prayer meeting at church on Halloween. She'll be recognized Nov. 14 by the Shreveport City Council.

"It's so exciting," she said of performing at Carnegie.

Williams' selection is a point of pride for Caddo Parish's Huntington High and the school's choir program, said Brass and Assistant Principal Teniesha Mahoney.

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Janae Williams was selected for the 2018 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House.(Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)

"Having her here is an inspiration to other students," Mahoney said. "She's an example of the hard work and dedication that's required to go to the next level. Performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"I believe this will inspire other students to be a part of this choral journey and motivate them to be a part of choral music on a national level," Brass added in an email.

After Williams graduates high school, she plans to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge to study mass communications. She isn't quite sure what she wants to do, but the idea of being a motivational speaker appeals, she said.

She's not sure if she'll continue her choir singing, but she'd like to.